konamihttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/3034/all
enMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance Rises on Machttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/metal_gear_rising_revengeance_rises_mac
<!--paging_filter--><p>Have you ever wanted to become an unstoppable cyborg ninja and slice through everything in your path? Well, if that’s the case, you’re in luck, because the flashy, stylish, unstoppable-cyborg-ninja game Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance will be making its way to Mac tomorrow courtesy of publisher TransGaming.</p><p><img src="/files/u332541/2014/09/mgr_main.png" width="620" height="349" /></p><p>Originally released by Konami on consoles in 2013 and on PC earlier this year, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a third-person action game that puts you into the bionically enhanced shoes of Raiden, a child soldier turned cyborg ninja. Wielding a “high-frequency katana,” you’ll battle your way through legions of skilled foes and challenging bosses in cinematic, fast-paced combat as you embark on a mission of revenge. You can see a video here:</p><p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KhPgr6qmdhQ?rel=0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>Though Metal Gear games have been released on iOS before, this marks the first time that the renowned series has made its way to Mac. In addition, the release of Metal Gear Rising marks TransGaming’s expansion into Mac game publishing; previously the company was focused on enablement technology that allowed easy porting of games to Mac and other platforms.&nbsp;</p><p>“Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is not only an incredibly rich AAA+ game that contains fantastic action, but it also fills a void in the Mac market,” explains Fredrik Liljegren, vice president of the graphics and portability group at TransGaming, in an interview with MacLife.com. “There really aren’t any games quite like this one available right now. This particular title also shows off what TransGaming’s technology is capable of delivering to its partners. As a highly advanced technical title, it’s an excellent candidate to show of our cutting edge enablement technology, Cider. In showcasing the level of gaming-performance that Macs can deliver, we are confident that Mac gamers will be thrilled with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.”</p><p>Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance will be available in the Mac App Store starting Sept. 25, and will be priced at $29.99 (although it may debut at a lower promo price). But that’s just the beginning of TransGaming’s plans to bring big-name titles from top publishing partners to Mac.</p><p>“We can’t really give too much away regarding specific future titles,” Liljegren notes. “What we can say, however, is that there are numerous high profile titles in the pipeline for release over the next 12 months, so stay tuned for future announcements.”</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/metal_gear_rising_revengeance_rises_mac#commentsGalleryNewsactioncyborgkonamiMetal Gear RisingninjaPortRevengeancetransgamingMacGamesWed, 24 Sep 2014 20:46:17 +0000Chris Hoffman20681 at http://www.maclife.comStar Wars Force Collection Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/star_wars_force_collection_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>It's always awkward when you reach that on-the-fence moment where you're pretty sure you hate the game you're playing, but you just can't seem to stop plugging away. That sums up my experience with Star Wars Force Collection pretty accurately. As a huge Star Wars nerd, I appreciate the sight- and sound-driven homage to a galaxy far, far away found throughout this virtual collectible card game. The actual game itself, however, is on shakier ground than Luke's X-Wing parked in the swamps of Dagobah.</p><p>Force Collection hinges on the thrill of collecting cards adorned with characters from the vast Star Wars film franchise, and then using them to battle against virtual and human opponents alike. While the shoddy interface does little to inspire confidence, the photographic cards evoke nostalgia and are nice to look at. Each has its own stats that play into its combat effectiveness, and you can spend both real-world and virtual cash to boost a card's power on the battlefield. The game does a good job of giving you opportunities to obtain new cards, too, even simulating the random fun of buying a booster pack and seeing what's inside.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/09/screen_9.png" width="620" height="395" /></p><p>Battles are far less exciting, unfortunately. In the main quest mode, you'll spend energy to progress through different regions battling Stormtroopers, bosses, and other foes. You'll simply run out the clock in these encounters, swinging your lightsaber away until you run out of energy and have to wait minutes to recharge — assuming you don't want to spend pocket cash to speed things along. One-hit kills make this feel like a pointless affair of lazily tapping the screen, and earning experience that lets you level up is the only boon.<br /><br />Formation battles are slightly more involved, as they have you slotting your cards into a grid before charging into the fray against opponents. Watching the flurry of lightsabers swipes and laser blasts that ensues as the cards clash and whittle each other down is amusing the first few times, but these hands-off encounters amount to little more than skippable cutscenes. Much of the actual gameplay boils down to simple, repetitive screen tapping and resource micromanagement.<br /><strong><br />The bottom line</strong>. Oversimplified card combat and a weak interface sap the fun in this Star Wars fan-fest.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-wars-force-collection/id586854309?mt=8" target="_blank">Star Wars Force Collection 1.1.2</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Konami Digital Entertainment </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://touch.konami.net" target="_blank">http://touch.konami.net</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Free </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone running iOS 5.1 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Lots of cool photo cards to battle with. Sound effects and music are spot on.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Weak gameplay is mostly hands-off. Interface is shoddy looking. Online connection required to play.</p> </div>
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</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/star_wars_force_collection_review#commentsGalleryReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifeCardsCCGForce CollectionfreemiumGamesgamesiPadiPhone and iPod AppsiPod and iPhonekonamireviewsSoftwaresoftwarestar warsiPadMon, 09 Sep 2013 19:22:44 +0000Nathan Meunier17992 at http://www.maclife.comYu-Gi-Oh! BAM Pocket Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/yugioh_bam_pocket_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Sometimes licensed games leave you scratching your head in confusion at their bizarre muddling of a beloved pop culture franchise. Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM Pocket adapts a popular trading card game based on the Yu-Gi-Oh manga and anime series into an entirely different trading card game, just barely managing to string together something moderately enjoyable in the process. Battling wits with virtual and real opponents is both fun and challenging, but there’s not enough depth to keep you interested for long.<br /><br />Your deck consists of 15 cards, which are divided into spells and monsters. Spells have an effect on one or more monsters or the life points of a player, while monsters thrive or die according to their individual power points combined with status effects. If your monster is defeated, you’re hit for the difference between its power points and those of its opponent. Each player puts down up to three cards per round, filling out their three respective monster and/or spell slots. You then hit "BAM" and watch the magic happen, repeating until one player runs out of life. There are lots of strategies to consider, and you can also get power ups (which are one-time use and available via expensive in-app purchases) to help you out of a tight spot, while decks can be customized ad infinitum to suit your play style and incorporate cards earned through story progress or from crafting.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/09/screen_1.png" width="620" height="465" /></p><p>Dueling against a host of Yu-Gi-Oh characters and nameless security drones proves tedious after a while, however, thanks to poor storytelling and a lack of variety and depth in the card game. In-app purchases of extra points or better decks may get you through the game faster, but they hardly benefit the experience. The $4.99 BAM Pro upgrade similarly disappoints, providing little more than the chance to duel against your Facebook friends and random strangers in the Arena.<br /><br /><strong>The bottom line.</strong> Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM Pocket offers a decent trading card game rooted in the world of the long-running franchise, but its good points lose out against a weak story, a lack of variety, and a clear departure from the source material.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id685098393?mt=8" target="_blank">Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM Pocket 1.2</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Konami Digital </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.yugioh-bam.com" target="_blank">http://www.yugioh-bam.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Free </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5.1 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Solidly fun and challenging card game. Characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh universe are central to the story.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Gets tedious deeper into the story. Terrible writing and plot. Not like the actual card game it's based on. Some features require a Facebook login, even if you pay for them.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/yugioh_bam_pocket_review#commentsGalleryReviewsanimeapp store reviewsAppLifeCardscartoonCCGfreemiumGamesgamesiPadiPhone and iPod AppsKidskonamireviewsSoftwaresoftwareYu-Gi-OhiPadiPhoneiPodWed, 04 Sep 2013 16:47:18 +0000Richard Moss17951 at http://www.maclife.comContra: Evolution Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/contra_evolution_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Contra has never been easy. Like many of Konami’s old-school ‘80s arcade games, the punishment in this run-and-gun series is designed to come quickly and often, as you attempt to break through endless hordes of enemies using only your reflexes and aim. Death is only a hit away, so winning means memorizing every attack pattern the game throws at you. If and when you screw up – losing one of the few precious lives given from a finite supply of continues – the loss really hurts. Strip that necessary roughness from Contra’s bones and all that’s left is a sad husk trading on a venerable name. This is essentially what Contra: Evolution does.</p><p>Technically, Contra: Evolution is a remake of the original Contra, but it’s a poor tribute. New experience points and in-game currency mean you can buy upgrades on the fly. Or you can take Konami’s lead in further trampling the series’ memory by using in-app purchases to keep a selection of new bullet types and bonuses, making the game even easier (though you already get a whopping six lives per play). The difficulty has also been ratcheted down with much slower enemies and projectiles, particularly with bosses; Evolution seems to have "evolved" strictly for the casual market, which is frankly a disservice to a series known for tough-as-nails gameplay. You certainly won't need the famous Konami code here, since the 30 lives it would net you can just be acquired as an in-app purchase.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/07/screen.png" width="620" height="413" /></p><p>Though the idea of a casual Contra game is ridiculous, where Evolution really drops the ball is with its controls. Despite offering a directional pad and both stationary and thumb-following digital arcade sticks, you’ll die often because your hand is blocking the screen or the d-pad read your input as a crouch instead of running to one side. Sadly, there are no alternate screen options, either. The fire button is also placed right next to the overly large jump input, so chances are high that you might leap into an enemy instead of shooting it. Evolution may resemble Contra, but it simply has no soul.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> Want to play Contra the way it's meant to be played? Get an original Nintendo.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/contra-evolution/id578198594?mt=8" target="_blank">Contra: Evolution 1.1.0</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Konami </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.konami.com" target="_blank">http://www.konami.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$0.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 4.3 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Looks nice. It's a remake of a much better game.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Poor controls result in lots of deaths. Microtransactions and in-game currency are a disservice to the series. Dumbed-down difficulty feels disingenuous.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/contra_evolution_review#commentsGalleryReviews8-bitactionapp store reviewsAppLifearcadeContra: EvolutionGamesgamesiPhone and iPod AppsiPod and iPhonekonamiNESretroreviewsshootersoftwareiPodMon, 01 Jul 2013 20:20:37 +0000Steve Haske17418 at http://www.maclife.comFrogger Decades Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/frogger_decades_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Thirty years ago, a little frog braved oncoming traffic to get to the other side… of an extremely popular arcade game. The concept proved so endearingly popular that many years later, it was featured in an iconic episode of hit 90s sitcom, Seinfeld. To mark the momentous anniversary of the game's original release, the core approach has been revamped for your iOS device, be it an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.<br /><br />Gone are the pixelated retro visuals, which are replaced by a pleasant cartoon-like style -- though there are times when your frog morphs back into its original look. The story here is pretty straightforward, but amusing all the same: you’ve been invited to the 30th anniversary party, but the evil Doc Croc swapped the provided map, leading you through the land's most hazardous areas.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/12/reviews/frogger-decades-shot-1.jpg" width="360" height="480" /></p><p>Unlike traditional arcade games, you actually have an unlimited number of lives at your disposal, so this greatly reduces the frustration experienced if you make one little mistake. The frog is controlled either with a virtual gamepad or by using the default touch controls, which actually feel more natural for an iOS game -- and the larger screen of the iPad provides the most comfortable experience of the supported devices.<br /><br />You can play in Story mode, moving from one area to another in chronological order, or choose Time Attack, in which you'll choose an area and attempt to cross it as fast as possible. However, you can only choose an area in Time Attack if you’ve completed it in Story mode, so you'll need to focus your time on the latter option to make progress in the game.<br /><strong><br />The bottom line. </strong>Frogger Decades is a fun casual game that you can pick up at any time -- so much so that it will even remember the last place you stopped and take you straight back to the action by default. As a result, you can finish the game relatively quickly, and the resulting experience doesn't deliver the kind of memorable, lasting impact that we remember from the series' best entries. But if you're simply seeking a dose of nostalgia, Frogger Decades certainly has that on tap.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffrogger-decades%252Fid454370986%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">Frogger Decades 1.0.0</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Konami Digital Entertainment </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.konami.com" target="_blank">http://www.konami.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
&lt;a href=&quot;http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffrogger-decades%252Fid454370986%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30&quot; target=&quot;itunes_store&quot;&gt;$0.99&lt;/a&gt; </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad running iOS 4.2 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Unlimited lives ease frustration. Pleasant cartoon-style visuals. Great for casual play sessions.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Repetitive gameplay. Feels too small on an iPhone (better suited to iPad). A bit too simple for long-lasting entertainment.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/frogger_decades_review#commentsGalleryReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifeAppsFroggerGamesiPod and iPhonekonamiSoftwareiPhoneiPodGamesWed, 19 Oct 2011 13:02:00 +0000Steve Paris12654 at http://www.maclife.comFrogger Decades Hops Into App Store for 30th Anniversaryhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/frogger_decades_hops_app_store_30th_anniversary
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/frogger_decades_200px.png" alt="Frogger Decades" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />If you’re a die-hard fan of the video game Frogger, you’ve probably realized by now that 2011 marks the a milestone for the hopping little frog, who turns 30 this year. Publisher Konami Digital Entertainment is celebrating in grand style with a new universal iOS app that lets you experience the game as never before.<br /><br /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/konami-digital-entertainment/id286115725" target="_blank">Konami Digital Entertainment</a> has released <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffrogger-decades%252Fid454370986%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30&quot; target=&quot;itunes_store&quot;&gt;Frogger Decades" target="_blank">Frogger Decades</a> to the App Store, a universal iOS game that takes the classic challenge of getting the frog across the road and puts it it a whole new dimension, with modern graphics and game controls.<br /><br />“Celebrating Frogger’s 30th birthday with an all new adventure!” the app description reads. “Frogger Decades is an exciting new chapter in the Frogger family of award-winning games, featuring breathtaking animation with an original musical soundtrack and cast of new characters to experience the Frogger world in a whole new way.”<br /><br />The $1.99 universal app touts high quality graphics, intuitive game controls and awesome new characters in addition to Game Center and Open Feint support so hardcore gamers can keep track of and compare their scores with others.<br /><br /><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffrogger-decades%252Fid454370986%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30&quot; target=&quot;itunes_store&quot;&gt;Frogger Decades" target="_blank">Frogger Decades</a> is available now on the App Store for $1.99; the 155MB download is a universal app compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, third and fourth generation iPod touch and any iPad running iOS 4.2 or later. Ribbit!<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/frogger_decades_hops_app_store_30th_anniversary#commentsNewsAnniversaryApp Storeapp store gamesAppLifeAppsclassic gamesFroggergame centerios gamingkonamiNew & Noteworthyopen feintiPadiPhoneiPodThu, 01 Sep 2011 13:06:26 +0000J.R. Bookwalter12239 at http://www.maclife.comKonami Announces Castlevania Game for iPhonehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/konami_announces_castlevania_game_iphone
<!--paging_filter--><p>If you mention <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania" target="_self">Castlevania</a> to gamers of a certain age, you'll recieve a quiet grunt of recognition, as they rub their NES controller-scarred thumbs and recall the bullwhip and buttwhipping goodness of one of the best platformers to ever waste anyone's time. Just like the creatures of the night you wage war with throughout the series, Castlevania just keeps coming back for more. Including localized versions,&nbsp; there have been 36 different editions of the game.</p><p>That count moved just a smidgen closer to 40 today, with Konami's announcement of an iPhone and iPod touch exclusive version of the title. Konami, who has been known to switch things up in the past with their App Store renditions of classic franchaises in the past, have released that the latest title in the Castlevania series will be an RPG called Encore of the Night and will include puzzle elements. Whether that puts it closer to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puzzle-quest-free/id304641991?mt=8" target="_blank">Puzzle Ques</a>t or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Puzzle_Fighter_II_Turbo" target="_blank">Super Puzzle Fighter</a> is anyone's guess.</p><p>The screen mashers over at <a href="http://toucharcade.com/2010/05/13/konami-announces-iphone-exclusive-castlevania-game/" target="_blank">TouchArcade</a> speculate that game will be titled Encore of the Night will be available in ther App Store in the near future.</p><p><img src="/files/u286882/Castlevania.jpg" width="280" height="280" /></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/konami_announces_castlevania_game_iphone#commentsNewsGamingiphoneiPod touchkonamiiPhoneFri, 14 May 2010 02:18:23 +0000Seamus Bellamy6901 at http://www.maclife.comHands-on Impressions: Silent Scope for iPhonehttp://www.maclife.com/article/feature/handson_impressions_silent_scope_iphone
<!--paging_filter--><p><img alt="silent scope screen" height="253" src="/files/u39/silent_scope4.jpg" width="380" /><br /><strong>In scope-view, the rest of the world is obscured.</strong></p><p>Konami's latest iPhone foray, Silent Scope, is due for release later in April. The 1999 arcade semi-classic puts you behind the sniper's trigger, charged with rescuing the U.S. president and his family from a distance. I recently put my finger to the test, checking out the nearly-ready game.</p><p>The iPhone commands are fairly simple, scaling the arcade cabinet's rifle controller into tap-happy play. As nondescript, black-clad villains lean out from distant rooftops, you double-tap to zoom into the scope perspective. Often, I tapped nearby, but still far enough away to lose all context when zoomed in. Helpfully, the game shows pointer arrows towards the baddies. Swipes realign the perspective, and single taps shoot.</p><p><img alt="Silent scope full" height="253" src="/files/u39/silent_scope3.jpg" width="380" /><br /><strong>A twinge of red means you've been hit.</strong></p><p>Your position follows a scripted path throughout the game; it's an &quot;on-rails shooter.&quot; Along that path, those swipe gestures change your aim. I followed a pattern of double-tap to zoom, swipe to aim, tap to shoot, and double-tap to zoom out. The accelerometer and other iPhone extras aren't used.</p><p>While repetitive, the Silent Scope still seemed fun. After clearing a cluster of enemies, the game moved me onto a new group. After repeating several times, it passed me to a new scenario, including a fight against a hovering airplane. My helicopter chased, swooping around the city as I took shots at the plane's cockpit. </p><p><img alt="silent scope chopper" height="253" src="/files/u39/silent_scope1.jpg" width="380" /><br /><strong>Forget missiles. Only your rifle and scope--carried via chopper--can stop an enemy plane.</strong></p><p>I couldn't hear the game sound in my preview, but the 3D graphics looked good overall, even if blocky. Visuals of a fictionalized Chicago's streets and rooftops were simplified, but the frame rate kept a steady clip.</p><p>Konami representatives didn't detail pricing and its exact release. But whenever it's out later this month, Silent Scope should make a strong addition to the company's iPhone roster. It taps into nostalgia for the arcade game while still keeping a simple, iPhone-friendly pace.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/handson_impressions_silent_scope_iphone#commentsApp StorekonamiFeaturesiPhoneGamesMon, 13 Apr 2009 18:01:00 +0000Zack Stern4066 at http://www.maclife.com